HEMET: Felon accused of striking K-9 officer with chair

A fleeing felon wanted for a parole violation was arrested Thursday, Nov. 28, after he struck a Hemet K-9 officer with a chair and then threw it at an officer, police said.

Theodore Whitfield, 27, was arrested on suspicion of a parole violation, felony threats and resisting arrest.

Theodore Whitfield

Whitfield has previous convictions in Riverside County for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a dirk or dagger and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, according to Superior Court records.

Hemet police said that about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Officer Derrick Young was patrolling on foot in the 100 block of N. Alessandro when he spotted Whitfield, whom he knew had a warrant out for his arrest. Whitfield fled on when Young attempted to stop him, a news release said.

K-9 Officer Derek Maddox joined the hunt and found Whitfield, who had doubled back and was hiding. Whitfield fled again, with Maddox and K-9 partner Rosco in pursuit.

Whitfield then tried to run into a house in the 100 block of N. Inez, but the residents wouldn't let him in. As officers closed in, the release said, Whitfield grabbed a large patio chair and swung it at Maddox and Rosco, hitting Rosco in the head. Whitfield then threw the chair at Maddox.

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